Learn more about the project - Develop Erie, which is working to establish the terminal, has launched www.developerierail.com.- An opponent of the project, Harborcreek Township resident Randy Barnes, is publicizing a new website, www.harborcreekinfo.com, that also provides information on the project.

ERIE, Pa. -- Dale Sweet doesn't like what he is hearing about the Erie Rail Terminal.

At all.

"I am already a critic. But I want a few more facts," said Sweet, when asked why he attended a Thursday evening meeting at Harbor Creek High School about the $60 million Erie Rail Terminal -- a project that has sparked outrage in the township.

State Rep. Curt Sonney, of Harborcreek Township, R-4th Dist., put Thursday's meeting together to give citizens a chance to air concerns and ask questions about the proposed rail terminal, which has become the subject of fierce debate about whether the facility will snarl traffic, increase noise and bring more noise pollution to Harborcreek Township.

Sweet, a retired GE Transportation foreman, sat in the first row of the high school's auditorium at a meeting attended by more than 300 people. He said that like many in Harborcreek, he has major concerns.

"I know what Buffalo Road can be like when I-90 closes and the big trucks have to come down here when they get detoured," Sweet said. "I think there are better locations for this. I don't know why this site was chosen at all."

The region's lead economic development agency, Develop Erie, in November confirmed plans for the rail terminal at a 30-acre site near Walbridge Road and Route 20 in the township.

At the 30-acre Harborcreek facility, 60-foot cranes would move large containers of goods back and forth between freight trains and tractor-trailers for regional distribution.

Sonney told the audience that he shares their concerns, because he lives in the township and doesn't want to see increased tractor-trailer traffic.

Asked point-blank by a citizen if he supports or opposes the project, Sonney said: "I'm not for this project as it is proposed, I can guarantee you that."

When someone else yelled out "Are you going to help us fight it?" Sonney replied, "Absolutely."

Sonney also said that Develop Erie is required to host public hearings to give the public more answers.

Pepicello told the audience he opposes the project as well because, among other things, the project could cause daily closures of Walbridge Road because of train traffic.

Although the proposed location is zoned for such a rail terminal, Pepicello said Develop Erie will still have to come to the township for approval of its development plans.

"Is this a done deal? Well, we don't think so," Pepicello said.

The rail terminal is part of Erie Inland Port project, a long-range plan to develop large-scale logistics hubs at multiple sites in the region. New Hope Capital Partners, of New Hope, is a majority investor in the project.

Officials from Develop Erie were not invited to Thursday's meeting.

Steve Rubin, president of the Erie Rail Terminal, said in a statement Thursday that Sonney "has not asked us to participate and we will respect his desire to engage folks in a dialogue independent of the project advocates."

Develop Erie and officials involved with the rail terminal plan their own public meetings soon, with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation representatives, Rubin said.

Retired Harborcreek Supervisor Ken Springirth drew cheers and loud applause when he stepped to the microphone and said the rail terminal is "a blueprint for disaster at the wrong location."

Springirth said he would like to see an objective traffic study not controlled by Develop Erie.

Other speakers mentioned the impact of the facility on Harborcreek businesses; whether train traffic would jeopardize the safety of students at nearby Clark Elementary School or Harbor Creek High School; environmental concerns; and whether the facility could negatively impact property values.

KEVIN FLOWERS can be reached at 870-1693 or by e-mail. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ETNflowers.

Learn more about the project - Develop Erie, which is working to establish the terminal, has launched www.developerierail.com.- An opponent of the project, Harborcreek Township resident Randy Barnes, is publicizing a new website, www.harborcreekinfo.com, that also provides information on the project.